The grand old Ocean lying at thy feet;
Thy jewels are the healing springs, that lie
Like gleaming pearls upon thy bounteous breast.
From far and near, earth's weary pilgrims come,--
A long procession, sad, and heavy-eyed,--
To win anew the priceless boon of health,
From thy Bethesda, angel-stirred and blest.
Deep in the bosom of thy mighty hills,
Dame Nature brews the elixir of life,
And pours it lavishly through riven rocks,
In basins carved by no weak, human hand;
And here and there, deep down the woodland glens
She sets her moss-rimmed chalices, where those
Who quaff with fevered lips the cooling draught,
Find health and vigor stealing through their veins.
O, queenly State! lift up thy fair, proud head,
The while thy sons and daughters honor thee,
And shine a pure white star, whose light shall be
Undimmed, through all the ages yet to come!

* * * * *

We are very happy to acknowledge the gift of one hundred copies of the
"People's Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke," by Edwin W.
Rice, D.D., from the American Sunday-school Union, at Philadelphia,
Penn. These books will be sent to our schools in the South, where they
will be of great benefit to the teachers in the Sunday-schools, and to
the graduates as they go forth to fresh experiences in the country
summer schools.